DOC pilots 'earned living units' at Stillwater
The Minnesota Department of Corrections showcased 'earned living units' inside MCF–Stillwater during a Nov. 20 media tour in Bayport, unveiling inmate‑operated spaces such as a barbershop ('Street Cuts'), a licensed tattoo studio, a greenhouse and an art studio as the facility winds down toward a 2029 closure. Commissioner Paul Schnell and Warden William Bolin said inmates are being moved to other facilities as part of the transition, with ongoing SUD therapy and creative programs continuing on site.
📌 Key Facts
- Where/when: MCF–Stillwater, Bayport; media tour on Nov. 20, 2025
- What: DOC testing 'earned living units' featuring inmate‑operated barbershop, licensed tattoo studio, greenhouse, art studio
- Context: Prison population being reduced with inmate relocations ahead of a planned 2029 closure